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By GendidFebruary 24, 2012, 5:00 pm UTCMy Little PonyComments Off on Artist of the Week: Kybdi!

Welcome to another edition of Artist of the Week! This week’s artist is a PMV creator named Kybdi. You can find his stuff here, and his interview after the break!

How long have you been making vids?

I have been making pony videos since around June/July 2011. However, I have worked on stuff like sitcom video projects and AMVs since 2008. I remember making my first video on Windows XP in Movie Maker.

What is your creative process? What are the steps you go through when making videos?

I usually have a brief outline and story boarding process, although I’m working on really fleshing out preproduction. I usually just write down any ideas that come to me and build off of those ideas while I’m editing.

How did you get into creating videos about ponies? What is the inspiration behind your videos?

Well, the first video that I made, Scootaquest, was actually just suggested by members of the Filly synchtube group. After I made it I kind of just got into the mindset of making videos. I made the Gorillaz “Feel Good” PMV a bit later and I’ve just dedicated myself to making some sort of videos ever since. My greatest inspiration was the fun behind actually making the videos. The sense of accomplishment and witnessing the end product are only a fraction of the joy I get from making videos. As the old saying goes, “It’s not about where you’re going, it’s how you get there.”

What is it that you enjoy about putting together music videos? What are your favorite music videos that you’ve seen? What advice would you give video editors trying to create music videos?

I categorize all the music that I have used in two categories, music that I like and music that I think would make good videos. Music that I like is often more fun to turn into music videos, but it requires more hard work and dedication. Songs that are easy to make videos for are good when you are still learning and you want to really flesh out what you are capable of. The thing that I enjoy most about making videos is talking and consulting with others. If it weren’t for the others I have met while making my videos I would have probably stopped by now. Meeting people and discussing what exactly is going on and what is going to be done next is the most fun part for me. My favorite pony music video ever is without a doubt mmanderinorange’s The Stars Will Aid In Her Escape

What is Lessons in Harmony? What do you have planned for it? What was the inspiration behind the series?

Lessons in Harmony was an idea that I’ve been dwelling on for a while. I used so think of every project as a sort of individual thing. I soon found focusing on different songs boring. Yes it is fun, but I decided to change my format for making videos. Instead of making the characters revolve around the song I decided to make the song revolve around the character. So I started off with Pinkie Pie and soon I thought to myself, “I can’t leave the other mane six out.” Thus Lessons in Harmony was born! I plan for it to be a 9 part series, the first six parts are of course the main characters of the show, but the last three are yet to be announced, although I will say the best pony is among them.

Have ponies changed the way you think as an artist (what inspires you about ponies)?

Ponies have changed the way I think a lot. The most inspiring fact about ponies is not the message they portray, but the people they attract. No one planned for the show to become what it did, and it has grown into this amazing fandom. I mean I have met so many amazing and talented people since I decided to make Scootaquest last summer. Of course I love the show as well, but I think that the biggest reason why the fandom is so large is because of the artists that dedicate their time and effort to making whatever they do best. I used to be a very introverted person when it came to art, but ponies allowed me to creatively express myself not only through show clips and amazing music, but through the greater genre of video editing.

How have ponies affected your life in general?

As cliché as it may sound, ponies have changed my life. Because of the show I have a comprehensive level of knowledge in terms of video editing and pre-production. I’ve met a lot of awesome people like Bronyvids, JHaller and Slugbox. Even at my school, I’ve been able to arrange a panel on MLP and masculinity for our summit on human dignity. It has affected me in a very positive fashion. I can’t imagine where I’d be without it.

What else do you do besides video editing (hobbies, jobs, etc.)?

Aside from video editing I often write. I am currently working on writing a book; however it has nothing to do with ponies. I also dabble in digital artwork although I am not yet very proficient at it. I try to teach myself whatever I can on multiple fronts. I guess my biggest hobby would have to be teaching myself whatever I feel like learning.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to be a psychologist. I have always loved the human mind and been curious of just how it works. I suppose my love of the mind played a role in leading me into this fandom. It brings a smile to my face to see people willing to stand up for what they believe in and challenge the societal norm for what exactly a “man” should look like. Modern media constantly portrays the “man” as a violent, angry, and self-obsessed individual. To see men come together, call themselves “bronies”, and preach the phrases of colorful animated ponies gives me hope that perhaps the skewed view of masculinity is changing.

Do you have any future projects that you are excited about?
I do have one project that I plan on working on in the future. I cannot say much about it because I have only laid some of the groundwork, but if all goes as planned it should be complete in due time, and with the tools I am using in production it should be amazing.

What was your favorite project that you worked on?

Whatever I am working on becomes my main priority and my favorite project. At some point every one of my PMVs was my favorite.

Are you working on anything currently?

I am working on a lot of projects as of now. Not only am I still trying to get part two of Lessons in Harmony finished but I also have a collaboration project with JHaller and Bronyvids in the making. There are so many things that I have planned finish throughout the year those two are just a small couple out of everything I have in mind.

What advice would you give new artists?

The thing that I have to say to new artists is: DON’T STOP MAKING VIDEOS! The most important thing to remember is that practice makes perfect and every video you make is going to be better than your last. Once you get to know whatever program you are using expand your knowledge and start using another. I started off using Windows movie maker and moved to Pinnacle, Sony Vegas, and now I work in after effects and 3d modeling programs. You have to strive to learn and improve your work. It is also important not to give up just because you don’t get as advertised as other artists. I struggled with being unknown and it almost drove me to stop making videos. Remember to make videos because they are fun to make, and not just for views. If I ever find a project getting boring I just quit is and go on to making something else. Don’t make videos for anyone other than yourself.